The participation of the Republic of Croatia in the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, besides its armed forces, can be positively determined on the basis of the logistical support to the HVO, without which it could not be formed nor operate. Namely, during the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, besides the personnel, mainly in live forces, the Republic of Croatia supported the Croatian Defence Council financially and logistically, as well as in other material assistance. The Republic of Croatia has spent a million of German marks daily on the assistance to all structures of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, including the Croatian Defence Council. The Republic of Croatia has supplied the Croatian Defence Council with significant quantities of arms and military equipment, fuel, vehicles, food, as well as with ammunition. Among the material-technical resources, there were T-55 tanks and howitzers, with crews and Croatian army emblems. That is how, for instance, Croatian tanks T-53, operated by the Croatian army crews, were present in the area of Gornji Vakuf, fighting against the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1]

The available information points at the significant role of the Republic of Croatia in arming of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Croats. That is how, for instance, on May 10, 1991, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia enabled the acquisition of arms and provided its transportation by trucks, on destination Zagreb-Capljina.[2] The most voluminous activities in the arming of Croatian population in Bosnia Herzegovina were organized at the end of 1991, after the attack of the Serbia and Montenegro aggressor on Dubrovnik. During that period, Croats have invested an enormous amount of money into arming, and therefore possessed huge quantities of conventional armaments. “Every capable individual has a gun”. Some wealthy businesspersons, besides Kalashnikov AK-40, acquired howitzers, all types of artillery, armour- piercing rocket launchers, and rocket systems “stinger”.[3]

Significant contingent of weaponry and military equipment intended for the defence of Vukovar, which was occupied on November 18, 1991, has been redirected to West Herzegovina. In companies Slobodan Princip Seljo and Vitez, the organization of secret export and stealing of explosives and gunpowder, which were, under the motto of the homeland war in Croatia, secretly distributed and exchanged for arms, mostly in Croatia, functioned quite well.[4]

Municipal Board of the Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ), on March 31, 1992, addressed the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, Gojko Susak personally, asking for assistance in armaments.[5]

In the evening of April 22/23, 1992, a group of some three hundred members of the armed formations of the Croatian Community Herzeg- Bosnia (Regional Board of the HVO of Central Bosnia), led by Dario Kordic, dragged out three multiple barrel rocket-launchers of types Orkan and Oganj, and a certain number of howitzers of 122 mm calibre, from the military equipment production facilities Bratstvo in Novi Travnik, which were further on transported towards West Herzegovina over Prozor. Consequently, while the Yugoslav National Army (JNA) was still stationed in Mostar, over 1.500 long barrels, 1.400 bombs, and over 40.000 meals have been transported to Herzegovina.[6]

The Republic of Croatia, besides the live forces (Croatian army), to, and against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, sent ammunition, tanks, cannons, napalm bombs and other material-technical resources and equipment. Acquisition of ammunition was organized with precision. The main delivery of ammunition went from Ploce, directly towards Mostar, “on the very same night when ordered”. General Vinko Martinovic also received from Janko Bobetko “not only the assignment, but also all the authorization to gradually supply that front, because it was the closest, shortest, I have no long transportation, so that he from his front took the battery of cannons 122, mortars, mines, ammunition, namely all the requested ammunition, so in the shortest period, it had functioned, one can say, excellently… Further on, for the ammunition, of heavier calibres, 130, on three occasions were the consignments and given orders immediately delivered with priority and straight to the frontline.” [linguistically incorrect in the original — note by the author][7]

In such a manner, also on October 20, 1993 “one full consignment went, is going from here, of heavier calibre, 130, 105, 120, and from that front also goes all the other ammunition, so that, clearly, it gets spent…”[8]

Franjo Tudjman has sent weapons to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also including the area of Busovaca.[9]

Commander-in-Chief of the 160 brigade of the Croatian army in Osijek, Colonel Dubravko Jezercic, on July 16, 1992, on the basis of the command by the commander of the Operation zone Osijek, commanded a hand over of one tank T-55 and one BVP M-80, with one battle set of ammunition without a crew “for the needs of the Operational Group “East Posavina””. The mentioned material-technical resources were the same day taken over in Osijek by Josip Jagodin, on behalf of “HVO Bugojno”.[10]

Dario Kordic has, on behalf of the Regional Headquarters of the HVO Central Bosnia, residing in Busovaca, on June 10, 1992, issued a permanent permission to pass to Vjeran Mijatovic from Vares “through the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia and the Republic of Croatia, for the purpose of performing tasks for the Municipal Headquarters of HVO Vares, namely acquisition of weaponry for HVO Vares, as well as food.” [11]

Commander of the Municipal Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council Konjic, Dinko Zebic, was authorized on June 18, 1992, to “in accordance with the verbal command of General Bobetko, undertake acquisition of material-technical resources to serve the needs of HVO Konjic”.[12]

Commander of the First light artillery battalion of the anti- aircraft defence (1st LARD PZO), of the Operational Zone Northwest Herzegovina (Tomislavgrad), Marijan Maric, on June 21, 1992, issued a RECOMMENDATION for “Branimir Ivanovic, on check-points under control of HVO for the territories of Herzeg-Bosnia and the Republic of Croatia, is allowed to travel to Tomislavgrad — Divulje — Grude, for the activities related to PZO”.[13]

At the meeting between Franjo Tudjman, Janko Bobetko, Imre Agotic, and Josip Lucic, that was held in Presidential Palace in Zagreb, on October 22, 1993, Minister Gojko Susak presented the information that, to Herzegovina were sent “twelve tanks, batteries of cannons, ammunition. Consequently, everything that the brigade possesses has been transported, and that saved the situation down in the Neretva valley”.[14]

The Republic of Croatia, in the aggression on the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina, also used napalm bombs[15], as well as air forces. During 1992, 190 air flights were undertaken, all by night (“until the moment when the flights for Western Bosnia were forbidden), where 450 persons and 87 tons of cargo were transported.[16] During 1993 (until October 22) 105 air flights were realized, 700 wounded were transported, as well as some 1.300 other persons and 50 tons of cargo.[17]

The Republic of Croatia used the aircrafts type Utva and helicopters of the Croatian Army, specially in the surrounded cities in Central Bosnia, for the immediate support to combat activities against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aircrafts and helicopters were used for realization, transportation of men-power and material-technical resources and equipment, as well as for the fire support from the air. Engagement of aircrafts of the Croatian Army was specially observed in the areas of Mts. Radusa and Vranica, then fly-over of helicopters towards the surrounded cities in Central Bosnia and air force support to military units of the Croatian Defence Council in Mostar and other places.[18]

Helicopters from the Republic of Croatia were, for the central Bosnia as well (Travnik, Vitez, Busovaca, and other places), transporting weaponry for the Croatian Defence Council, as well. Thus, during June 1993, helicopters were transporting weaponry and unused Croatian dinars. During June and July of 1993, helicopters were landing near the Vitezit arms factory. In addition, over the period from September until the end of 1993, those helicopters transported weaponry.[19]

Collaborationist Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia established cooperation with many companies in the Republic of Croatia, from where nutritional and other products were furnished. The city of Bugojno was the supply centre for the area of central Bosnia. That decision was made on June 16, 1992 in Zagreb, at the meeting held in premises of the company Voce Export-Import, with following participants: Jure Klaric, from Voce Zagreb; Ljupko Tabakovic, from the Directorate for Commodity Reserves of the Republic of Croatia; and representatives of the Municipal Headquarters of Croatian Defence Council Bugojno: Ante Bagaric, Branko Saric, Zvonko Mihaljevic, and Josip Pocrnja. At the meeting participants discussed about the bearers of the reception, warehousing, transportation, and distribution of nutritional supplies, authorized company, and individuals who will be in charge of the implementation. After that, a meeting was held in Bugojno, on July 03, 1992, at which the issue of “provision of the basic nutritional items for the local population, arrived refugees and military of the Municipality Bugojno” was discussed (the meeting was attended by: Vladimir Soljic, Anto Bagaric, Leon Cosic, Mihovil Strujic, Zvonko Brajkovic, and Ljupko Tabakovic, Head of the Department for agricultural-nutritional products of the Directorate for Commodity Reserves of the Republic of Croatia, and Ljupko Misura, member of the Homeland club in Zagreb).[20]

“Reviewing the overall problems regarding supplying the city of Bugojno and wider surrounding area, as well as the overall central Bosnia, with nutritional products, in the wartime circumstances in which the city of Bugojno and entire Herzeg-Bosnia were caught”, at the Bugojno meeting it was agreed that the main coordinator of the supplying with basic nutritional and “possibly” other products activities will be company Delta, and Josip Pocrnja be in charge of acquisition, reception and distribution of the goods.[21] He managed, on July 31, 1992, to secure 25 tons of food from the German Humanitarian Society in Zagreb, and at the beginning of the month, the same contingent came from the Red Cross and Caritas.[22]

Commander of the Municipal Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, Zdravko Babic, on July 02, 1992, authorized the Chief of Logistics of the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, Josip Jagodin, “to undertake all activities regarding the acquisition and transportation of the material-technical resources and armaments in the Republic of Croatia, on behalf of the Municipal Headquarters Bugojno” Jagodin was specially authorized for “activities regarding acquisition of armoured combat resources and their transportation to Bugojno”.[23]

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia has ensured provision of the material-technical resources for the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia. Consequently, General Ivan Cermak, on August 03, 1992, signed an order to issue:
- Mines 120 mm 100 pieces
- Mines 82 mm 200 pieces.[27]

for the Central rear-echelon (base) Grude, “to be at the disposal of the armed forces of BH — HVO Bugojno”

The 156th Brigade of the Croatian Army also provided material- technical resources for the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno. Besides Josip Jagodin, Ante Zecevic, from Bugojno, member of the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, was also authorized to take over and transport those items to Bugojno, on behalf of the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno. He was authorized on August 19, 1992, by Ivica Lucic, commander-in-chief of the Eugen Kvaternik brigade (Bugojno), to take over ammunition from the 156th Makarska brigade, on behalf of the Croatian Defence Council.[32]

The Croatian Defence Council of the Croatian Community of Herzeg- Bosnia was taking over material-technical resources, weaponry, medical material, medicines, equipment, food, cigarettes, and all other necessities, in the Republic of Croatia. For the acquisition of the aforementioned in the Republic of Croatia for the Croatian Defence Council — headquarters Zepce (commander of the IV Operational Zone Ivo Lozancic) has authorized Vinko Maric, on August 20, 1992.[33]

The 4th brigade of the National Guard Corps was ensuring provision of the material-technical resources for the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno. Consequently, on September 11, 1992, from the 4th brigade of the National Guard Corps warehouse in Orasac (Military Post 1114 Split), the following items were issued to members of the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno:
- Mines for mortars 60 mm 144 pieces
- Bullets 20 mm OERLIKON 360 pieces.[34]

On September 19, 1992, from the 4th brigade of the National Guard Corps warehouse, issuance and transportation of the material-technical resources to the Municipal Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council were approved. On September 11, 1992, Colonel Mirko Sandrov, unit commander of the Military Post 1114 Split, in Orasac, confirmed that, from his unit, the following items were supplied to the members of the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno:
- Mines for mortars 60 mm 144 pieces
- Bullets 20 mm OERLIKON 360 pieces.[35]

The Croatian Defence Council Vitez brigade, including the special unit Dzokeri, often received material-technical resources, food, equipment, and other necessities from the Republic of Croatia. For instance, they were receiving uniforms, weapons, boots, equipment, and other from the Karlovac brigade.[37]

Logistical equipment of the Croatian Army was present in the area of Prozor, Jablanica and other places. [38]

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and the Assistant Minister himself, General Ivan Cermak, has ensured provision of the material-technical resources and equipment also to the Croatian Defence Council of Vares, as well as personally gave “all available assistance and advice” continuously to the Municipal Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council of Vares.[39]

Military units of the Croatian Army, who participated in the aggression and other forms of crimes in the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina, were supplied with the material-technical resources and equipment from the Republic of Croatia. That is also how the 55th light battery of the anti- aircraft defence from Sisak (55th LARD PZO), whose units were deployed in the area of Tomislavgrad and Posusje, received all their material- technical resources from Croatia. Major Josip Sikic, commander of Military Post 3033 Sisak, on September 08, and October 03, 1992, issued an order for provision of material-technical resources to serve that battery, ways of transportation and delivery. It was decided that the following resources and quantities are to be transported to Tomislavgrad:
- shells 20 mm 4.000 pieces
- shells 40 mm 410 pieces[40]

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and Assistant Minister of defence General Ivan Cermak himself, ensured provision of the material-technical resources and equipment also for the Croatian Defence Council Vares. He was personally giving “all the available assistance and advice” continuously to the Municipal Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council Vares.[41]

On October 24, 1992, General Ivan Cermak, Assistant Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, issued an order to the Department of technical/traffic administration of the Ministry of Defence, to issue the following material-technical items to the Croatian Defence Council through the Central rear-echelon base Grude:
- Bullet 7, 62 x 39 200.000 pieces
- Bullet 76 mm ZIS 100 pieces
- Bullet 14, 5 mm 50.000 pieces.[45]

1st brigade of the Croatian Defence Council Herceg Stjepan from Konjic also obtained material-technical resources from the Republic of Croatia. On October 18, 1992, the commander of that brigade, Zdenko Sagolj authorized Velimir Pavlovic to implement those activities.[46]

Branimir Ivanovic, member of the Croatian Defence Council Tomislavgrad, in accordance with the Recommendation from Marijan Maric, Commander of the 1st light battery of the anti-aircraft defence of the Operational Zone Northwest Herzegovina (Tomislavgrad), of June 21, 1992, regarding the acquisition of the material-technical resources and equipment, has established good cooperation with certain units in the Republic of Croatia. Accordingly, at the beginning of November 1992, the Croatian Defence Council of the Croatian Community of Herzeg- Bosnia received two rocket-launchers arrows — 2M with four rockets and certain amount of medical material.[47]

General Ivan Cermak bestowed an “exceptional support” to the Croatian Defence Council in terms of delivery of material-technical resources. Consequently, on November 16, 1992, he issued an order to the Republic of Croatia Ministry of Defence Department of technical/traffic administration to issue the following material-technical items to the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, through the Central rear-echelon base Grude:
- Bullet “ZIS” 76 mm 300 pieces
- Bullet 122 D-30 200 pieces
- Rocket RPG 7 50 pieces.[48]

At the end of 1992, the brigade Herceg Stjepan Konjic of the Croatian Defence Council obtained material-technical resources, spare parts for vehicles and food from the Republic of Croatia. On November 19, 1992, the commander of that brigade Zdenko Sagolj, authorized Zdenko Grbavac, and Ivica Grbavac on December 09, 1992, for the implementation of the aforementioned activities.[50]

In bigger cities of the Republic of Croatia, so-called Offices of the Croatian Defence Council or homeland clubs have been established, for the purpose of more organized acquisition of the material-technical resources, equipment, etc., whose authorized representatives directly communicated with relevant military and political authorities of the Republic of Croatia regarding provision of armaments, ammunition, equipment and other resources, as well as with emigrants in the United States, Canada and Australia, and Diaspora from Europe from whom they received money, and other. The Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, for instance, had its offices in Zagreb and Split and the Croatian Defence Council Konjic had its office in Zagreb,[51] etc.

Certain offices of the Croatian Defence Council in the Republic of Croatia, besides the acquisition of the material-technical resources, equipment, food, spare parts, etc. also worked on bringing soldier and officers, as well as complete units from the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina, more precisely to the territory of collaborationist Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia. In that respect, the Office of the Croatian Defence Council Konjic in Zagreb, at the end of March 1993, achieved an agreement regarding the arrival of two units from the Republic of Croatia to the territory of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia:
- unit Legija, under the command of Zvonko Lukic, and
- unit Uskoci.[52]

A major part of the tank arsenal from the Republic of Croatia has been transferred to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In and against the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina, according to estimations of general Martin Spegelj “there were 50-70 tanks of the Croatian Army, who, at that time, had a total of 245 tanks and about 200 pieces of heavy technical-rocket weaponry”. “All that martial material” has been, claims Spegelj, “more or less…. fired on the east part of Mostar”.[53]

In Central Bosnia, the Croatian Community (Republic) Herzeg- Bosnia, performed all the supplying — overall logistics “through the Serb territories by exchanging fuel for weapons and joint planning of some actions where Serbs” were not providing men-power.[55]

The Croatian Defence Council Travnik, aiming at the provision of material-technical resources, “and because of the deteriorated political- security situation in the Municipality Travnik, as well as throughout the region” on the 56 session, held on April 10, 1993, reached the decision regarding the departure of the Croatian Defence Council delegation to meet Gojko Susak, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia.[56]

On the 57 special session of the Croatian Defence Council Travnik, which was held two days later, (on April 12), among other, Anto Valenta, co-President of the Croatian Defence Council of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, and Pero Krizanac, co-President of the Croatian Defence Council of the Municipality of Travnik, were entrusted to speak to Tihomir Blaskic, commander of the Operational Zone Centra Bosnia, “with regard to announcement and visit to Mr. Gojko Susak, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, and Mr. Bruno Stojic, Head of the Defence Department of HZHB”.[57]

Large quantities of fuel were transported from the Republic of Croatia for the Croatian Defence Council, mostly from the former JNA warehouses from hills around Ploce, which are the property of the Croatian Army.[58]

The military and civil authorities of the Croatian Community (Republic) of Herzeg-Bosnia, dislocated the property of certain companies from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Croatia, and were compensated with material-technical resources and equipment. Thus, the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno exported numerous products from Slavko Rodic, where the military equipment industry was well developed (all documentation, numerous tools, fuses, armored panels, and other materials), to the Republic of Croatia, from where they received money or material-technical resources.[59] Company Universal in Zagreb, on March 1993, owed S. Rodic about 150.000 DEM for the delivered machinery.[60]

In December, 1992, S. Rodic delivered 4 pieces of armored panels to the Koncar SUS company in Zagreb.[61]

The Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, according to their Report, from April 1993, to the Republic of Croatia “helped in various ways with 3.500.000 DM, products TBM 2.000.000 DM. Leather for shoes worth about 3.000.000 DM. Delivery with luxurious vehicles — 126 pieces (worth 1.500.000 DM). Military equipment worth about 2.000.000 DM, everything was given without requiring and receiving some special counter value.[62]

The Croatian Defence Council Bugojno has been authorized Drago Bagaric, from Bugojno, to certify all the documents — bills of lading related to the transfer of goods from Bugojno to Croatia and from Croatia to Bugojno with designated seal and signature.[63] Ante Krajinovic, from Bugojno, with designated seal and signature, was authorized for the travel of civilians.[64]

A member of the Croatian Defence Council, Ivica Zulj from Bugojno, was authorized (by the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno) “to carry out the transportation of the material-technical resources from Bugojno to Zagreb”.[65]

The Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, on March 31, 1992, transported to the Republic of Croatia certain goods stolen from Bugojno — i.e. “booty of HVO Bugojno” (drawers for cash registers, “pedestals for cash registers”), with the ‘objective to possibly exchange it for armaments or military equipment needed by the Municipal Headquarters of HVO Bugojno”.[66]

At the end of May, and beginning of June 1992, the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, dislocated certain quantities of leather, of the Semikron and Komerc Krupon types, “which was considered the property of HVO Bugojno”, “from the territory of Bugojno municipality to the territory of the Republic of Croatia, for security reasons”. Those goods were transported out of Bosnia and Herzegovina for sale.[67]

Branimir Ivanovic had received certain material-technical resources and equipment for the aforementioned resources that were delivered to the units of the Republic of Croatia, in compensation for the delivered items and spare parts.[70]

The Military police of the Croatian Defence Council HZ (R) H-B has also received the material-technical resources mainly form the Republic of Croatia. Overall assistance and support was specially provided by general Mate Lausic and Colonel Zdravko Galic.[71]

During the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia also used the aviation as the logistical back up to their forces. On December 01, 1993 form the airport Rumboci near Prozor, two flights took place, on which occasion, in the area around Visoko, four parachutes carrying material-technical resources were thrown out. On December 04, 1992, Mi-8 helicopters carried out a flight on the route Pidris-Vranica-Lasva valley. Mi-8 have, on December 16 (form Prozor airport), on the route Kute-Here-Scipe transported material- technical resources. Three days later (on December 19), on three occasions, Mi-8 have transported and thrown out material-technical resources (from Prozor airport) on the route Prozor — Gornji Vakuf. [72]

Helicopters of the Croatian Army, on January 6, 11, and 13, 1994, carried out several flights in the area of Hum, OG Lasva, area OG Brajna and area Stoga OG Bosna, bringing material-technical resources.[73]

Helicopters (MI-8) of the Croatian Army with crews and technical equipment, including the technical maintenance, were used in accordance with the direct order from the Minister of Defence (Gojko Susak), in the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[74]

Logistical support to functioning of the organization of the Intelligence Administration of the Croatian Defence Council Main Headquarters was provided by commands, units and institutions of the Croatian Army.[75]

Certain experts (“the best experts”) from Bugojno, as well, crossed over to the Republic of Croatia (Zagreb, Split, Slavonski Brod, etc.) supporting the development of the military industry in Croatia, such as, among others: Milan Prpic, Head of the technical unit of the Main Headquarters of the Croatian Army, Vladimir Grlica, Ship-construction Advisor at the Main Headquarters of the Croatian Army, then Ivan Bakovic, Pero Pejak and others.[76]

The Republic of Croatia addressed certain institutions of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, requesting approval to engage certain experts for the military purposes. Therefore, on March 29, 1993, Colonel Igor Fistonic, MS, Head of the Administration for Strategic Research of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, addressed Pavo Dragun, Bugojno Head of the Defence, asking to engage Stipica Markovic as the external project associate, on the fire management systems project (SUV) for artillery.[77]

The cooperation between the Administration for Production of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and companies from the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia existed in the field of the military equipment production.[78]

The Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia also leaned on the PTK system of the Republic of Croatia, whose staff managed and coordinated all the activities in that area.[79] The same situation was also present in the field of links and information,[80] as well as between the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Croatia and the Chamber of Commerce of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia. During their mutual contacts, they also talked about “the issues regarding the textile and the leather industry in HZ H-B and Croatia”. There was “mutual interest in joint activities, especially since the textile and leather are the fields where both Croatia and HZ H-B have significant built capacities, and they are mutually complementary”.[81]

“State” authorities of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia have also “cooperated” with the “State” authorities of the Republic of Croatia in mobilization of soldiers for the military formations of the Croatian Defence Council (and the Croatian Army). Municipal HVOs of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia have “because of the warfare situation”, and “the need of soldiers”, at the session held in Gornji Vakuf on October 16, 1992, reached the Decision to forbid the enrolment to all male students who are older than 18 to the Universities in the Republic of Croatia, as well as further studies for those students who have previously enrolled, but do not have complete documentation from the Croatian Defence Council.[82]

The Republic of Croatia also ensured the provision of financial resources to the Croatian Democratic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Consequently, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia secluded an amount of 540.000 DM to a special bank account in Vienna for the Municipal Board of HDZ Bugojno. At the beginning of March 1992, the Municipal Board of HDZ Bugojno gave an agreement to use those funds for “the agreed delivery of equipment needed for the defence of Bugojno”.[83] On July 03, 1992, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia also delivered 10.000 DM to HDZ Bugojno.[84]

The education and training, especially of the command staff, represented special aspects of the direct assistance and support of the Republic of Croatia to the formations of the Croatian Defence Council. Consequently, the soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers of the Croatian Defence Council were educated and trained at the Croatian Military Academy “Petar Zrinski” and other centres for education and specialist trainings of members of the Croatian Army, as well as the Centre for Education of the Special Forces and other institutions in the Republic of Croatia (Zagreb, Split, Ploce, and other places).[85]

On May 04, 1992, in accordance with the letter from Main Headquarters of the Croatian Army, Class 813-01/92-01/02, reference number: 5120-04/1-92-4, dated April 28, 1992, and with the verbal command of the Commander of the South front, of April 29, 1992, General Bobetko issued an order for training of operators of the PO system Fagot. In that respect, the Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia was obliged to, within the two-day deadline, prepare and submit the list of 60 people from their units, future operators.[86]

Colonel Tihomir Blaskic, at the end of July 1992, issued an order for the education of a certain number of members of the Croatian Defence Council from Central Bosnia, on reconnaissance skills during a ten-day training in Croatia “for the purpose of executing specified-purpose assignments”. “On the basis of the recognized needs for establishing reconnaissance formations and their training”, on July 24, 1992, he issued an order to “determine a certain number of individuals, from each of the Operational Zones, namely municipal headquarters that are undergoing combat activities” “who will be trained in reconnaissance in the Republic of Croatia for the purpose of executing specified- purpose assignments”. With regard to that, each of the municipal headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council of Gornji Vakuf, Bugojno, Konjic, Jajce, Novi Travnik, Travnik, Zepce, Zavidovici and Maglaj were to assign one unit, by 7 soldiers each (“7 soldiers per unit”).[87]

The training of intelligence officers of the Croatian Defence Council took place in the Republic of Croatia (“seminars for intelligence officers”). Thus, for instance, in the Operational Zone Split, during period September 10-16, 1992, a seminar for the Croatian Defence Council intelligence officers took place.[88] Courses for corporals took place in the Republic of Croatia.[89] Consequently, on the basis of the agreement with General Garaj of the General Staff of the Croatian Army of the republic of Croatia, general Milivoj Petkovic, Chief of staff of the Main Headquarters of HVO, on September 21, 1992, issued an order to send 50 soldiers from the Croatian Defence Council of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia formations to attend the aforementioned course in the Training Center Slavonska Pozega.[90] The Commander of the 3rd Operational Zone, Ivica Rajic, on September 26, 1992, on the basis of the Command from GS Central Bosnia, Strictly Confidential, number: 811/92, issued an order regarding the organization of the course for corporals. The order determined the place of the course (Slavonska Pozega), units of municipal HVO for the selection and number of candidates; the beginning (October 05, 1992) and duration of the course (14 days); time of departure (October 03, at 07.00 hours); meeting place (HVO military barracks in Kiseljak); organization of transportation to Grude and to Slavonska Pozega; time of return from the course (October 18, 1992); candidates selection criteria, etc. The Commanders “of units that provided the course candidates, are obliged to take care of the quality, and their readiness to work as professional candidates after the completion of the course”. Each candidate was supposed to “receive 10.000 HRD and 2 s/d o (dry daily meal). Candidates travel to the course in their military uniform, without HVO emblems, bringing the personal arms, personal hygiene kit and writing and drawing tools”. The Commander of the Municipal Headquarters was personally responsible to Rajic “for their referral to the course’. For any unclear issues, one should personally address Rajic or “the intelligence service of this headquarter”.[91]

The Municipal Headquarters of HVO Fojnica, has, on the basis of the command from GS Central Bosnia, Strictly Confidential, number: 811/92, and order from the commander of the 3 Operational Zone, number: 263-1, of September 26, 1992, referred to the course Smiljan (son of Ilija) Golub from HVO Fojnica, and consequently Stjepan Tuka, commander of the HVO Fojnica , on September 30, 1992, requested the treasury office of HVO Fojnica to effect the payment “of 15.000 HRD to the course participants” for expenses.[92]

Training for unit commanders of the Croatian Defence Council for POB with POVRS was carried out in Zagreb. In that regard, General Milivoj Petkovic, the Chief of Staff of the Main Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council, on June 25, 1993, “on the basis of information we received from GS HV, regarding better organization and better degree of training of commanders of formations for POB with POVRS” issued an order regarding referral of soldiers to the course for unit commanders to the Croatian Military Academy HVU in Zagreb.[93]

A significant number of members of special units (Dzokeri, Vitezovi and Munje) in most cases attended training in centers located in the territory of the Republic of Croatia.[94] In addition, the Republic of Croatia established military training centers of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) in the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[95]

A significant number of non-commissioned officers, officers, and police officers attended the courses, seminars, and schools at the Croatian Military Academy Petar Zrinski in Zagreb. In mid November 1993, Colonel Ante Luburic (Commander of Ante Bruno Busic Regiment) went the Croatian Military Academy,[93] to undergo additional training there. In mid December 1993, 23 HVO officers were sent to the Croatian Military Academy for additional training:The Military Police Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia provided support to the Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia in training of its staff in the Republic of Croatia.[96]

Both the training and specialization of pilots and aviators — technicians on helicopters MI-8 MTV-1 was conducted in the Republic of Croatia.[97]

The wounded of the Croatian Defence Council were treated in the hospitals of the Republic of Croatia.[98]

References:

1. ICTY, Case: Reference number IT-95-14-T, paragraph 120; ICTY, Case: Reference number IT-95-14/1-T, paragraph 78, annotation 182.
2. AIIZ, 2-51, Information from the Ministry of Interior of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina about certain occurrences and events that particularly affected the complication of the security situation in the Republic, dated June 11, 1991.
3. Slobodna Bosna, issue 3, of November 14, 1991, p. 5.
4. S. Salkic — S. Ahmic, STRADANJE MUSLIMANA I ISTRAZIVANJE RATNIH ZLOCINA NA PODRUCJU OPSTINE VITEZ (manuscript), Zenica, 1993, pp. 2-3
5. AIIZ, inv. No. 2-1900, Croatian Democratic Community, Municipal Board Bugojno, Bugojno, March 31, 1992, - to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia (to the attention of the Minister, Mr. Susak), Zagreb. Matko Lucic, the President of the Municipal Board of the Croatian Democratic Community Bugojno, in the mentioned request wrote: “We live in a dramatic situation. We are under Serb threats. The Serb population is departing Kupres and Bugojno in an organized manner. A group of reservists (one bus) arrived in civilian clothes, changed into military uniforms, and took positions within empty houses. We have minimal arms at our disposal. All the Croats are ready for fight and a great dissatisfaction with the lack of equipment prevails. Our Regional Crisis Headquarters in Grude is not able to deliver the necessary equipment, and Colonel Mikulic refers us to you. We request your intervention and assistance in armaments” (Ibid.).
6. Dnevni izvjestaj, number 1, of April 25, 1992; Oslobodjenje, October 04, 1993, p. 5; ICTY, Case Kordic and Cerkez — IT-95-14/2-T, Bulletin FHP, issue 15, pp. 73 and 98., In April 1992, Dario Kordic, as a politician, has signed a requests for acquisition of heavy weaponry and military equipment (Bulletin FHP, issue 15, pp. 73 and 98).
7. AIIZ, inv. No. 2-2474, Shorthand report of the meeting between Franjo Tudjman, Janko Bobetko, Imre Agotic, Josip Lucic and Gojko Susak, in the Presidential Palace in Zagreb, on October 22, 1993; Dani, October 25, 2002, p. 23.
8. Ibid.
9. Bilten FHP, issue 15, p. 98.
10. AIIZ, inv. No. 6-437, Republic of Croatia, Croatian Army, 160 brigade, Class: 8/92-01/01, Reference No.: 3070-01-92-57, Osijek, July 16, 1992, ORDER. At the end of that document in the left corner under the name and surname, and signature of Josip Jagodin there is a round seal, with “sahovnica” [Croatian state coat of arms and the flag] emblem in the middle and the following inscription: “Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Bugojno”.
11. AIIZ, inv. No. 2-1861, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Regional Headquarters of Central Bosnia, Busovaca, No.: 02-347/92, Busovaca, June 10, 1992, PERMANENT PERMISSION TO PASS. With that permission to pass, Dario Kordic has approved Mijatovic to “possess personal short and long barrel weapons throughout the territory of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia and the Republic of Croatia”. In that regard, he requested all checkpoints of HVO to “provide undisturbed transit to the mentioned gentlemen, as well as provide them with special assistance, if needed” (Ibid.).
12. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1864, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Konjic, No.: 02-558/92, June 18, 1992, AUTHORISATION. Dinko Zebic has travelled by “a vehicle type Golf JX, license plates HVO-1-0-5, with personal driver Zlatan Arapovic” (Ibid.).
13. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2154, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Headquarters of the I LARD PZO SZH /light artillery battalion of the anti- aircraft defence of the Operational Zone Northwest Herzegovina/, Tomislavgrad, June 21, 1992, RECOMMENDATION. The recommendation states that “the mentioned individual travels in personal vehicle, license plates ZE 112-783”, “personal identification card number 1742/91). (Ibid.).
14. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2474, Shorthand report of the meeting between Franjo Tudjman, Janko Bobetko, Imre Agotic, Josip Lucic and Gojko Susak in Presidential Palace in Zagreb, held on October 22, 1993; Dani, October 25, 2002, p. 24.
15. Ibid.. The information about the use of napalm bombs against Bosniaks was presented by Franjo Tudjman, at the meeting between himself, Janko Bobetko, Imre Agotic, Josip Lucic and Gojko Susak, in the Presidential Palace in Zagreb, held on October 22, 1993. (AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2474; Dani, October 25, 2002, p. 24). In that regard, Franjo Tudjman stated: “…and that you napalm bombs, some kind of firecrackers, to be used there, with which you have previously frightened first the Yugoslavian army and at a later stage some Muslims. Think of something, it would be very important to us. Between us, listen, even these European negotiators expected that we will resolve this problem”. (Ibid.).
16. Ibid., p. 23.
17. Ibid.. The mentioned participation of the Air Forces of the Republic of Croatia in the aggression on the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina went on, according to general Agotic, “all upon the request by HVO”. But, “air force support in terms of use of helicopters” Croatian Wartime Air Forces were, according to general Agotic “completely disorganized, from our side. That is because all those requests from them arrive through some, if I may dare say, irregular ways. That line of command over the Croatian Air Forces and Croatian Army was not respected at all. All of that goes, more or less, through the office of the Minister, or directly from Tola Zarko, or from people from the Main Headquarters of HVO, towards the Mixed Air force squadron in Divulje, which they, somehow, considered and consider the squadron in charge of them… I think that we should establish one unit from the Croatian Air force which would, together with helicopters of HVO or our helicopters, be based on the territory of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia… You know that you did not have objections to HRZ flying unannounced to Herzeg-Bosnia.. The situation happens that we send helicopter to Kiseljak, Nova Bila, or…” (Ibid.). Imre Agotic, on October 22, 1993, has sent his chief of the Headquarters, brigadier Culetic, to the Main Headquarters of the Croatian Defence Council, to see Bruno Stojic, and the commander, chief of the Air force base Headquarters. The objective of their trip to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar) was to coordinate, inspect and agree with the Main Headquarters of HVO “where the problems with regard to air force support are and what do they have to offer in that sense”. Talking about that at the meeting between Franjo Tudjman, Janko Bobetko, Imre Agotic, Josip Lucic and Gojko Susak in the Presidential Palace in Zagreb, held on October 22, 1993, Imre Agotic thought that after that , upon Franjo Tudjman’s command, “explicitly for that also”, because so far “all the assistance was given somehow bashfully”. In that respect, he “truly” stated: “…Dunja requests me to send a helicopter to Kiseljak, to Nova Bila, and Miss Dunja, tell me, no, no, urgently, they are wounded, and why should I say I will not. I only ask that everything follows the line of command, it will make us more efficient… Security officer comes to the airport Divulje and looks for people who will fly to Herzeg-Bosnia, I am not sure exactly what the fees were, but he takes marks out of his pocket, pays. That has a baleful impact on people’s moral. He is a member of HVO” (Ibid., p. 24).
18. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2294, Participation of the Croatian Army in Bosnia Herzegovina battlefield and other resources of support from the Republic of Croatia. Giving support to the Croatian Defence Council, helicopters of the Croatian Army, were, mainly, landing in Vitez, Kiseljak, Busovaca and Sebesic, main logistics base for the central Bosnia, held by the Army of Bosnia Herzegovina as of July, 1993. After the surrounding of Vitez, helicopters were landing near the factory Slobodan Princip Seljo. In December 1993, when the Army of Bosnia Herzegovina came nearer to the landing point, Vitez started acquiring parachutes, which were used to drop ammunition and grenades to HVO (Bosna, issue 1, February 11, 1994, p. 23).
19. Bilten FHP, issue 15, pages 155-156, statement of Dragan Nakic, witness of the defence in Case Kordic and Cerkez — IT-95-14/2-T, The Hague Tribunal, September 18, 2000.
20. AIIZ, 2-1907, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Bugojno, Report (by Josip Pocrnja) to the Municipal Headquarters Bugojno, from business trip to Zagreb, Bugojno, August 01, 1992.
21. Ibid.. The mentioned proposal about the selection of company Delta, from Bugojno, came from HVO Bugojno. That company was to negotiate all other details in further contacts with company Voce, form Zagreb. Ante Bagaric recommended Josip Pocrnja as person in charge of all the activities regarding the implementation of that project, first of all, wheat and floreg. He went to Zagreb, where he, on July 29, 1992, submitted a request to the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Croatia regarding taking over of some 250 tons of the goods in the first cycle, “and which should be realized during the first week of August”. Successive taking over of the goods from the Directorate for State supplies reserves, Pocrnja thought might “satisfy our needs, meaning that we can organize trade”. Conditions for receiving the goods were 60 days with no interest (Ibid.).
Pocrnja also agreed with the Directorate for State supplies reserves of the Republic of Croatia, in Zagreb, upon the following: - extraction of wheat “from the contingent that arrived from Austria, and was intended for the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina”; - delivery of fresh yeast for the Bugojno Bakery (as a donation); - payment for 25 tons of meat cans, “which resources 70 days of meals for soldiers”, from certain companies from Zagreb; - to buy ZISER (anti-tank canons ZiS 76 mm) in Czech Republic, at very competitive prices, through company Odem. Office of the company Delta existed in Zagreb as well, as of July 27 , 1992 (Ibid.).
22. Ibid.
23. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-443, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Bugojno, No.: 01-120-95, July 02, 1992, Authorization.
24. AIIZ, inv. no.: 2-1865, Mihovil Strujic, member of the Presidency of HVO — to the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, to the attention of the President, Report. Mihovil Strujic, “with the selected team”, has also had an assignment to find premises for the HVO office in Zagreb.
25. Ibid.. All the listed items were transported to Bugojno. Strujic, with his team, rented business premises in Zagreb (two rooms, one of the size of 13,80 square meters, and the other size 12 square meters), with infrastructure (2 telephones, office tables, etc.). Strujic has also, for the “forthcoming activities”, made an arrangement “with about 80% probability”, for the following:
-Tank T-84 1 piece
-Tank T-55 1 piece
- Armored transporters 2 pieces
- 130 mm canons, from Divulje 1 piece
- shells for ZIS 1.500 pieces
- shells for howitzers 120 mm 1.000 pieces
- 120 mm mines
- wires for field telephones 30 pieces
- sleeping bags and beds 500 pieces
- worm suits of 83 MED *
- assault rifles M-16, (at the price of some 650 DEM) *
- military snipers and grenade launchers *
(* no quantities were stated in the original document — note by S.C.)
The aforementioned activities were implemented by a team of: Mihovil Strujic, Josip Jagodin, Ivica Bodrusic, Mario Nevjestic, Zdravko Lucic, Mirko Crnjak, along with the Military police team from Bugojno).
26. AIIZ, 2-1907, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Bugojno, Report (by Josip Pocrnja) to the Municipal Headquarters Bugojno, about the official travel to Zagreb, Bugojno, August 01, 1992. The aforementioned equipment was acquired by Josip Pocrnja and Nikola Pavlovic.
27. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-442, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Class: 003-05/92-01/252. Reference No.: 512-07-06/92-01/252, Zagreb, August 02, 1992, - to Rikard Bencic, Rijeka, Order. Josip Jagodin was the responsible person, “who will overtake the resources”. Colonel-General Cermak was in charge for the logistics of the Croatian Army, and he was, according to General Bobetko, “went to the frontline himself and his deliveries arrived punctually, right on a second…” (Janko Bobetko, the aforementioned work, p. 298).
28. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-440, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Class: 003-05/92-01/252, Reference No.: 512-07-06/92-01/252, Zagreb, August 03, 1992. — to the Department of technical/traffic administration, ORDER. Responsible person “who will take over the resources is Josip Jagodin, Personal Identification No.: 2701960191760 Bugojno”.
29. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-439, The Republic of Croatia, Municipality of Beli Manastir, Secretariat of National Defence, Bilje, August 06, 1992, CERTIFICATE. The listed material-technical resources were taken over by Josip Jagodin, on August 07.
30. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-438, The Republic of Croatia, Municipality Beli Manastir, Secretariat of National Defence, Osijek, August 06, 1992, CERTIFICATE. Jagodin took over the listed material-technical items on August 07, and transported them “with his personal vehicle, license plates BU = 57-89”.
31. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-441, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Class: 003-05/92-01/252, Reference No.: 512-07-06/92-01/252, Zagreb, August 12, 1992, - to the Department of technical/traffic administration, ORDER. Josip Jagodin was the responsible person “who will take over the items”.
32. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1866, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Headquarters of the brigade Eugene Kvaternik Bugojno, No.: 02-128-668/92, Bugojno, August 19, 1992, AUTHORIZATION.
33. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1867, Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Headquarters Zepce, No.: 02/2-28/92, Zepce, August 20 , 1992, AUTHORIZATION.
409 AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1869, Military Post 1114 Split, Orasac, September 11, 1992, CERTIFICATE. At the end of that document, there is a round seal, with “sahovnica” emblem in the middle, and inscription: “The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, National Guard Corps, 4th brigade”.
34. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1869, MILITARY POST 1114 SPLIT, Orasac, September 11, 1992, CERTIFICATE.
35. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1870, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, National Guard Corps, 4th brigade, Class: 803-05/92-03/316, Reference No.: 5124-01-01-92-4, Orasac, September 19, 1992 — to the Municipal Headquarters of HVO Bugojno, Approval for issuance and reception of TMS. Material-technical resources were handed over to Zdenko Sislav, member of HVO Bugojno (Personal Identification No.: 3105970191256, ID card number 1278), on the basis of the request from the commander of HVO Bugojno of September 12, 1992, and approval for Zdenko Sislav, “by which he is authorized to transport TMS, on behalf of the Headquarters, No.: 01-325/92, of September 09 , 1992”.
36. Bilten FHP, issue 15, pp. 65-66, Statement of A.S. protected witness of the prosecution in the Case Kordic and Cerkez — IT-95-14/2-T, The Hague Tribunal, March 09, 2000. On one occasion, Srecko Petrovic and Zoran Rajic went to Karlovac “and brought uniforms, weapons and similar things, boots, equipment” (Ibid.).
37. Bilten FHP, issue 15, p. 56, Statement of Remy Lendry (member of the European Monitoring Mission, who was stationed in Zenica during 1993), witness of the prosecution in the Case Kordic and Cerkez — IT-95-14/2-T, The Hague Tribunal, February 28/29, 2000. Remy Lendry, besides possessing evidence in the area of Prozor and Jablanica, “has personally seen logistical equipment of the Croatian Army, which was at that time reported by some military representatives of the Croatian Army as a fact that they have had logistical equipment in that area” (Ibid.).
38. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1871, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Vares, Vares, on October 02, 1992 — to the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, to the attention of the Assistant Minister of Defence, Mr. General Ivan Cermak, REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE TO HVO VARES. The President of HVO Vares, Anto Pejcinovic, has, in his letter dated October 02, 1992, asked General Cermak for the following: “1) Artillery, ammunition, means of communication (cell phones, VHF radio hand sets); 2) Clothing and equipment for soldiers; 3) Office premises in Zagreb”.; Pejcinovic has elaborated in details on his “request for assistance to HVO Vares”, in order to enhance “defence with heavy artillery”, which is necessary to them “especially since the winter period is forthcoming bringing potential difficulties in connection with highland-mountain area, and similar. That is why we requested clothing, footwear, and equipment for winter conditions”. Pejcinovic has also asked General Cermak to provide and cede office premises for HVO Vares of the military residences fond in Zagreb (40 — 60 m2), “since we have at our disposal certain reserves of companies (Coalmines and Steelworks Vares, Spare Part Factory TRD Vares, Facility RO ZRAK Sarajevo in Pajtin Han, etc.)…” The mentioned office premises would be necessary to HVO Vares, because it would enable the company TRD Vares to “establish immediate commercial contacts to meet the needs of HVO Vares, the company itself, namely its employees, thus through exchange again ensure food supplies for citizens”. HVO Vares has established “very fruitful contacts with company Koncar — Factory of special equipment in Zagreb” (Ibid.).
39. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2145, The Republic of Croatia, Croatian Army, Military Post 3033, No.: 1496/92, Sisak, September 08, 1992, ORDER, Ibid., inv. No.: 2-1088 and 2-1888, The Republic of Croatia, Croatian Army, Military Post 3033, Reference No.: 1812/92, Sisak, October 03, 1992, ORDER. Branimir Ivanovic, member of HVO Tomislavgrad, authorized (by Marijan Maric, commander of the 1st light battery of the anti-aircraft defence of the Operational Zone Northwest Herzegovina) for acquisition of material-technical resources and equipment in The Republic of Croatia, was also responsible for transportation of the mentioned shells to Tomislavgrad. That is to say, major Sikic, in his order of October 03, 1992, designated Marijan Maric to take over the mentioned items in Tomislavgrad, of which event he will submit a written report, and ways of transportation. That order stated, as follows: “….......; 3. I designate Mr. MARIJAN MARIC, commander of the Tomislav Grad [sic] unit, to take over the items, and report respectively to me, in writing.; 4. I order that the items are to be transported by vehicle TAM 190, license plates ZE 853 29, which will be operated by Mr. BESTALJKO ZELJKO, and his co-drivers JUKIC JADRANKO and BRANIMIR IVANOVIC.; 5. I order that the driving speed in populated area must not exceed 50 km/h, and out of the populated area 70 km/h. The shipment should be well taken care of, with no damage to occur, and I shall hold Mr. IVANOVIC personally responsible for it.; 6. I order that stopping points will be Zadar and Split, on a route Sisak- Karlovac-Josipdol-Senj-Split-Tomislav Grad. Re-fueling should be undertaken in stopping points.; 7. Upon arrival to Tomislav Grad, a report on the fulfilled assignment should be drafted, followed by a written report to a commander of the 55th LARD PZO Sisak, Mr. major: Josip Sikic” (AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1888, The Republic of Croatia, Croatian Army, Military Post 3003, Reference No.: 1812/92, Sisak, October 03, 1992, ORDER).
40. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1871, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Vares, Vares, October 02, 1992 — to Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, to the attention of Assistant Minister of Defence, Mr. General Ivan Cermak, REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE TO HVO VARES. President of HVO Vares, Anto Pejcinovic, in his letter of October 02, 1992, from General Cermak asked for the following assistance in: “1) Artillery, ammunition, means of communication (cell phones, VHF radio hand sets); 2) Clothing and equipment for soldiers; 3) Office premises in Zagreb”. Pejcinovic has elaborated in details his “request for assistance to HVO Vares”, in order to enhance “defence with heavy artillery”, which is necessary to them “especially since the winter period is forthcoming bringing potential difficulties in connection with highland-mountain area, and similar. That is why we requested clothing, footwear, and equipment for winter conditions”. Ante Pejcinovic has also asked General Ivan Cermak to provide and cede office premises for HVO Vares of the military residences fond in Zagreb (40 — 60 m2), “since we have at our disposal certain reserves of companies (Coalmines and Steelworks Vares, Spare Part Factory TRD Vares, Facility RO ZRAK Sarajevo in Pajtin Han, etc.)…” The mentioned office premises would be necessary to HVO Vares, because it would enable the company TRD Vares to “establish immediate commercial contacts to meet the needs of HVO Vares, the company itself, namely its employees, thus through exchange again ensure food supplies for citizens”. HVO Vares has established “very fruitful contacts with the Koncar company — Factory of special equipment in Zagreb” (Ibid.).
41. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1873, HZ H-B, Croatian Defence Council, Brigade “Eugen Kvaternik” Bugojno, Bugojno, November 04, 1992, Report (by Josip Jagodin); AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-123/4, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Zagreb, CLASS: 003-05/92-01/252, Reference No.: 512-07-06/92-01/252, Zagreb, October 09, 1992. To: Department for technical-traffic administration, Order. In October 1992, HVO Bugojno delivered the following commodities to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia:
- TKM 71 3.000 pieces
- BRK M-75 2.004 pieces
- AU 20 E 2.266 pieces
- AU 20 A 2.738 pieces
- Trotyl bullet 500 pieces
- Slow burning fuse 2.000 meters
- TNT 700 kilograms
- nitro-penta cords 500 kilograms
- PMA-2 500 pieces
- PMA-3 560 pieces
- TMA-4 300 pieces (Ibid.).
The mentioned commodities were expedited from Bugojno by Ivica Bodrusic. Company “Slavko Rodic” credited HVO for the debit value of those commodities of 301.584 DEM. During comparison of accounts’ balances between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and HVO Bugojno, the Ministry owed to HVO 390.000 DEM. HVO expected the remaining 122 mm grenades, which were supposed to arrive to Bugojno soon.
42. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2984, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Zagreb, Department of technical/traffic administration, Class: 803-05/93-03/523, Reference No.: 512-21-02-93-845/2, Zagreb, October 12, 1993 — SLOB Zagreb.
43. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2983, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Zagreb, Class: 213-01/93-03, Reference No.: 512-08-93-01, October 13, 1993, Order to Issue MTS. That order also contains an instruction to issue the following material-technical items to the Tactic Group — 1 (TG-1):
- Bullet 12, 7 x 107 mm for DSK, expanding, flammable 10.000 pieces
- Bullet 14,5 x 114 mm 10.000 pieces
- Bullet 7,62 x 39 mm 100.000 pieces
- Bullet 9 mm, PARA 5.000 pieces
- Mine for MB-60 mm NATO 100 pieces
- Mine for MB-82 mm 100 pieces
- Mine for RPG-7 50 pieces
- Mine for SPG-9 20 pieces
- Bullet 100 mm for T-55, TFG 100 pieceses
(Ibid.).
44. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-123/1, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Zagreb, CLASS: 003-05/92/01/252, Reference No.: 512-07-06/92-01/252, Zagreb, October 24, 1992 — Department of the technical/traffic administration, Order. “Person responsible to take over the items is Mr. JOSIP JAGODIN, Personal Identification Number 2701960191760”.
45. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1872, HVO / Brigade Herceg Stjepan Konjic, No.: 02-220/92, October 18, 1992. Commander Sagolj had asked for a provision of “undisturbed passage for Mr. VELIMIR PAVLOVIC, with vehicle Zastava 640 AD, license plates KNJ-160-48 through the territory of the Republic of Croatia and Herzeg-Bosnia on a route Osijek-Zagreb-Konjic, transporting material-technical resources for the Brigade Herceg Stjepan Konjic.” (Ibid.).
46. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2149, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Main Headquarters, Office of the Commander of the OZ Zagreb, 55th LTRD PZO, No.: 3091/92, Sisak, November 04, 1992, COMMAND.
47. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-113/2, The Republic of Croatia , Ministry of Defence, Zagreb, Class: 003-05/92-01/252, reference No.: 512-07-06/92-01/252, Zagreb, November 16, 1992 — to the Department of technical/traffic administration; Ibid., inv. No.: 2-1874, HZ H-B, Croatian Defence Council, Brigade Eugen Kvaternik Bugojno, Bugojno, December 01, 1992, Report (by Josip Jagodin). The aforementioned items were taken over and forwarded to Bugojno by Josip Jagodin.
48. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-123/3, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Zagreb, CLASS: 003-05/92-01/252, Zagreb, November 28, 1992 / to the Department of technical/ traffic administration; AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1874, HZ H/B, Croatian Defence Council, Brigade Eugen Kvaternik Bugojno, Bugojno, December 01, 1992, Report (by Josip Jagodin). Josip Jagodin, “person responsible to take over the items”, has escorted the aforementioned goods to Split, along with the escort of the military police from Zagreb, “where we were supposed to be met by our military police who were informed on time”. Trucks remained within the facilities of Spedicija Split, where the transfer of load took place, for easier transportation. There were not enough trucks in Zagreb, so Jagodin has asked “Beovic from MORH [The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, note by the author] to approve of one truck, which he did”. General Ivan Cermak promised Josip Jagodin to receive in a couple of days an order for the 130 mm cannon, that needed to be taken over in Sibenik, and 1.000 grenades for it, “which would be taken over from the MORH warehouse”. Jagodin has promised the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia to try to “deliver fuses AU 18 or appropriate, and nitro-penta cords they urgently needed from the company Slavko Rodic”. (Ibid.).
49. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2/1876, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Brigade Herceg Stjepan, Konjic, number 02-01-222/92, November 19, 1992, AUTHORIZATION; AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1875, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Brigade Herceg Stjepan Konjic, number 01/45/92, December 1992, AUTHORIZATION. Zdenko Grbavac from Konjic was authorized to “request humanitarian assistance (food, clothes, etc.) from the private company “Aeroba” Zagreb, for the Brigade Herceg Stjepan Konjic 1st regiment — Klis”, and Ivan Grbavac, “as the authorized person from the 1st regiment - Klis on the territory of the Croatian Community Herzeg- Bosnia and the Republic of Croatia acquires food and spare parts for vehicles for the 1st regiment — Klis” (Ibid.).
50. AIIZ, 2-1863, The Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Bugojno, Office of HVO in Split, - to the Presidency of HVO Bugojno; AIIZ, 2-1812, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Main Headquarters of HVO, reference No.: 01-540/93. and 01-541/93, Mostar, March 27, 1993 — HVO Konjic Office in Zagreb, AGREEMENT.
51. AIIZ, inv. No.; 2-1812 and 2-1813, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Main Headquarters of HVO, reference No.: 01-540/93 and 01-541/93, Mostar, March 27, 1993 / to the Office of HVO Konjic, Avenija Vukovar 22 B, Zagreb, AGREEMENT, general Milivoj Petkovic, on March 27, 1993, on behalf of the HVO Main Headquarters (as the commander-in-chief), gave “an agreement” as to the arrival of units from the Republic of Croatia to the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia.
52. ∴ RAT…, p. 135; S. Omeragic, the aforementioned work, p. 155.
53. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1909, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Physiology and Immunology, Rijeka, December 16, 1992 — HVO Bugojno, Bugojno. The Faculty of Medicine has received the aforementioned goods form the German Red Cross (Dr Ritter) and various donors from Italy. The goods were taken, for further delivery, by Ljupko Lozancic, and Franjo Breljak, with van type Renault, license plates number HVO-375-M. The signatories to the letter are two teachers form the Faculty of Medicine (professor Dr. Stipan Jonjic and professor Dr. Miljenko Doric).
54. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2475, Shorthand records from the meeting of Franjo Tudjman with Jadranko Prlic, Mato Boban, Slobodan Praljak and Milivoje Petkovic, in the villa Dalmacija in Split, on November 05, 1993, Dani, October 25, 2002, p.26. In that area, most probably around Vares, the Croatian Defence Council had “to retrieve the territories Serbs lost to Muslims” (Ibid.). Jadranko Prlic, as a President of the collaborationist Government of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, on November 06, 1993, stayed in Velika Kladusa, where he spoke to “two sides” . Pointing at such activities, at the aforementioned meeting in Split, he highlighted that the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia with Serbs must “play the game because of these enclaves, for it is the only way to keep them alive and also to provide them with military force to protect themselves from Muslims..” (Ibid.).
55. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1897, HVO Travnik Municipality, No.: HVO-01-56/93, April 10, 1993, Abridged Minutes. That delegation, “with previous announcement with Mr. Bruno Stojic, representative of the Defence Department of HZ H-B in Mostar”, consisted of: Filip Filipovic, commander of the HVO Brigade Travnik, Tihomir Blaskic, commander of the Operational Zone Central Bosnia, Pero Krizanac, co-President of HVO Travnik, and Anto Valenta, co-President of HVO Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia. HVO of the municipality reached the aforementioned decision unanimously, after the explanation given by Pero Krizanac and the discussion by the majority of the participants. That session of the HVO Travnik was attended by: “members of the Government: Pero Krizanac, co-President of HVO, Anto Spajic, Head of the Department for telecommunications and links, Davor Kolenda, Head of the General Operations Department, Drago Bilandzija, Head of the Economic Department, Josip Nevjestic, Head of the Finance Department, Ivo Fisic, Head of the Logistics Department, Branislav Kulis, Head of the Healthcare and Social Welfare Department, Vinko Pilisic, Head of the Department for refugees and diaspora, Vlado Martinovic, Head of the Constitutional Protection Department, Tomislav Rajic, Head of the Defence Department, Jozo Nevjestic, Head of the Treasury Department, Ivan Rajakovic, Head of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport. Besides the members of the Government, the session was attended by Mr. Ante Valenta, co-President of the HVO HZ HB, Mr. Ivo Rezo, commander of the PU Travnik, Filip Filipovic, commander of HVO Travnik Brigade, Stipo Krizanac, co-commander of PS Travnik, Nikola Pjanic and Davor Sopf, representatives of the PRESS of HVO Travnik, Mr. Ivica Pavlic, President of OO HDZ.”
56. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1898, HVO of Municipality of Travnik, CONCLUSIONS of the 57 special session of HVO of Travnik Municipality, which was held on April 04, 1993.
57. Bosna, issue 1, February 11, 1994, p. 23.
58. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-109, The Municipal Headquarters of HVO Bugojno, Report HVO Bugojno.
59. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-402, Bodrusic Ivica, The Head, Sub-office of the military equipment industry, Bugojno, April 07, 1993 - to the President of HVO Bugojno and the Head of the Economic Department, Report of the business trip to Zagreb, from March 30 to April 04, 1993.
60. Ibid. Ivica Bodrusic, on March 30, 1993, visited the company Koncar SUS Zagreb, where he spoke to the Director, Dr. Blago Brkic. It was agreed that the armored panels be paid “in accordance with the international prices, but in their products, in which the Artillery of HVO Bugojno showed interest”, for which the agreement of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia was needed to be obtained. In discussion with the Assistant Head of the Production Department of the Ministry of Defence, on the same day, Mirjana Gambiroza, who informed him that a government agency named Alan was established within the Ministry, through which the complete transfer of the production materials and final products of the military equipment industry takes place, managed by Zagorac. In the meantime, Koncar- SUS, submitted a written request for agreement on compensation, to which Zagorac agreed, but for a smaller quantity of observation apparatus then agreed upon. In repeated discussions in Koncar SUS, on April 02, 1993, he insisted on the following observation apparatus:
- sighting Panorame, with collimators 2 pieces
- sighting apparatus UANU-2, with complementary set 1 piece
- sighting apparatus UANU-1 with complementary set 8 pieces.
For the realization of the aforementioned task, Josip Pocrnja received a written authorization. Total amount that needed to be paid for the armored panels is 40.000 DEM “ of which 10.000 was paid to the non-resident account of Rodic in HRD, and the rest is the subject of the compensatory deal” (Ibid.).
61. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-109, Report HVO Bugojno.
62. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-378, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, No.: 02-128, Bugojno, June 16, 1992, AUTHORISATION. The seal was round, with “sahovnica” emblem in the middle, and the following inscription: “CROATIAN DEFENCE COUNCIL BUGOJNO”. To the right of the seal, was the personal signature of Drago Bagaric.
63. Ibid. The seal was round, with “sahovnica” emblem in the middle and inscription: “CROATIAN COMMUNITY HERZEG-BOSNIA, CROATIAN DEFENCE COUNCIL MUICIPALITY BUGOJNO”“. To the right of the seal, was the personal signature of Anto Krajinovic.
64. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-377, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, Bugojno, AUTHORIZATION. The President of HVO Bugojno requested “the formations of HVO and HV to assist [Zulj Ivica — remark by the author] in transportation of the aforementioned resources”.
65. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1901, Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Municipal Headquarters Bugojno, No.: 02-101-6/92, May 31, 1992, CERTIFICATE; Ibid., Municipal Headquarters of HVO Tomislavgrad, June 01, 1992 — to the Municipal Headquarters of HVO Bugojno. Drawers for cash registers, “war prize of HVO Bugojno” were sent by “officer VINKO ZULJEVIC to the Republic of Croatia, for dislocation or exchange for uniforms that are necessary in Bugojno”. That is why the deputy commander of the Municipal Headquarters of HVO Bugojno, on May 31, 1992, issued a certificate to Vinko Zuljevic, asking “all formations of HVO and HV to assist, and create no problems during transportation”. (Ibid.).
66. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1902 Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Economic Department Bugojno, No.: 06-125-694/93, June 04 1993, AUTHORIZATION.
Mladen Pavlovic, on behalf of the Economic Department of HVO Bugojno, on June 04, 1993, issued an authorization to Stipo Vujevic, to, for HVO Bugojno, offer the leather “for sale under conditions of the current market of such goods”. The particular realization of the sale was supposed to be effected through the Office of HVO Bugojno, “with presentation of all the needed documentation about the fulfilled task” (Ibid.).
67. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2299, the Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, HRZ and PZO, MILITARY POST 3116 DIVULJE, Divulje, September 10, 1992. Colonel Mladen Katavic, commander of the Military Post 3116 Split unit — Divulje, on September 10, 1992, issued a CERTIFICATE, confirming that the mentioned unit has received the aforementioned material from Branimir Ivanovic. That material was intended for the Croatian Air Force. In that regard, Colonel Katavic, on September 10, 1992, made the list of material “they would exchange in counter goods:
Tires — external of the following sizes and dimensions:
- tire 800 x 200 40 pieces
- tire 500 x 180 20 pieces
- tire 865 x 280 A 10 pieces
- tire 595 x 185 10 pieces
- tire 800x 260 20 pieces
- tire 470 x 210 10 pieces
- tire 6.00-6 20 pieces
- tire 5.00-5 10 pieces.
Various spare parts (samples) for aircrafts and helicopters are needed. All parts of the flight equipment for pilots and aircraft mechanic are needed (Ibid.).
68. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2143, The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, Headquarter of HRZ and PZO, Mixed air force squadron, Split, Divulje, September 24, 1992, CERTIFICATE. On September 24 1992, Colonel Mladen Katavic, commander of the Military Post 3116 Split, Divulje, issued “on the basis of the received material, a CERTIFICATE, confirming that they have received the aforementioned resources from Goran Batalija and Branimir Ivanovic”.
69. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2191, The republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence HRZ and PZO, Military Post 3116 Divulje, Divulje, December 20, 1992, CERTIFICATE. Military Post 3116 Split — Divulje, in the second half of December 1992, issued, among other items, three sets of uniforms to Branimir Ivanovic, which was confirmed by the Colonel Mladen Katavic, commander of that unit, issuing the CERTIFICATE for it, on December 20, 1992.
70. P. Ljubucic, I BORBENA POSTROJBA I POLICIJA, in: TRI GODINE VOJNE POLICIJE (hereinafter referred to as: TRI GODINE…), Administration of the Military Police MO HR HB Ljubuski 1995, p. 43; M. Jelic, SVI MORAMO CINITI VISE, in: TRI GODINE… p. 45.Zeljko Dzidic, Commander of the Mostar military police, knew the aforementioned high-ranking officers of the Croatian Army. Colonel Galic, commander of the 72 battalion of the military police, delivered a lot of material-technical resources to Dzidic and others.
71. Bosna, issue 1, February 11, 1994, pp. 15, and 23.
72. Ibid.
73. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2998, the Republic of Croatia Ministry of Defence, Main Headquarters of HV, Special forces, Zagreb, September 15, 1993 / attn. major Mr. Mario Sunjic, ORDER. On September 15, 1993, Major-general Ante Roso (commander of the Special forces of the Main Headquarters of the Croatian Army, issued the following COMMAND to the major Mario Sunjic (“STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL”): “1 - Major Mario Sunjic with all crews and technical equipment (MI-8) works together and unquestioningly with Mr. Colonel Katavic, until the new order arrives.; 2- All the material from the Sinj airport (helicopters) is to be located in the Grude region. The technical maintenance and your multi-coordination remain joined.; 3 - This command enters into force IMMEDIATELY!” (Ibid.).
74. AIIZ, inv. No. 2-3010, the Republic of Croatia, Ministry of defence, Main Headquarters of HV, Class: 8/93-01/02, reference number 512-06-06/2-93-75, Zagreb, December 07, 1993, COMMAND.
75. AIIZ, inv. No.: 6-109, Municipal Headquarters HVO Bugojno, Report HVO Bugojno.
76. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1905, the Republic of Croatia, Ministry of defence, Main Headquarters of HV, Administration of the Strategic research, Class: 644-01/93-02-01, reference No.: 512-06-16-93-35, Zagreb, March 29, 1993 — to the city of Bugojno defence commander, attn. Pavo Dragun. Stipica Markovic was specialized for the work on the project, since he finished Military-technical School, specialization in SUV. According to Fistonic, Head of the Department, he was foreseen “ as an external associate to the artillery SUV team”“. Therefore, he asked to enable him “ get involved in this very important project” which should be finished in the foreseeable future, and its application would affect the increase of efficiency of the artillery formations, with the same, or lower consumption of ammunition and engagement of less number of people.” Colonel Fistonic was sure “that you would meet our request regarding the engagement of Mr. Markovic, which will be the common gain, since it will help us reach our joint wishful results”(Ibid.).
77. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1868, the Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence Zagreb, Administration for Production, Class: 035-01/92/01/3828, reference No.: 512-07-06/92-01/01, Zagreb, NOTE…. At the meeting held on August 28, 1992, in the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia premises, between the representatives of the company NIB Bugojno and representatives of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, some particular aspects of cooperation in the field of military equipment production were agreed upon: “ 1. To provide the company NIB Bugojno with warehousing space in SPC — Precko, for warehousing of TK 130 fuse elements (UT M68-P1), which are needed by fuse producers for HV.; 2. MORH expressed interest in urgent production of fuses TK- 130 (or some other) which would be produced in Bugojno for the MORH. In that regard, representatives of the company NIB will submit their bid for the production of mine fuses TK- 130, AU- 29, PBD, AU-52, AU-18, P1 etc., by types and quantities they are able to produce.; 3. MORH also expressed interest in the production of anti-infantry and anti- tank mines (MRUD, PROM-KD, TMRP-6 etc.), and the company NIB Bugojno is invited to submit their production bid to the MORH for that also.; 4. Company NIB Bugojno expressed interest in production of mortar shells of 120, 82 and 60 mm, and consequently, the company representatives received construction design documentation for production of the mentioned shells. Company NIB Bugojno remains under the obligation to hand over the technical- construction design documents, which are their property, to MORH, in case of need. With regard to the production of mortar shells, MORH will provide technical assistance as well as ensure certain components (casings, stabilizers etc.) in exchange for scarce components needed by MORH (plastic explosives, TNT, etc.)”. The agreement was signed by engineers Dr. Nikola Gambiroza, and Dr. Milan Prpic, on behalf of the Administration for Production of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, and engineers Pero Pejak and Ivan Bodrusic, on behalf of the company NIB Bugojno. The Head of the Administration for Production of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Nikola Gambiroza, on May 06, 1992, sent a Recommendation to BNT — Factory for machinery and hydraulics in Novi Travnik (attn. Mr. Marko Pranjkovic)” for dislocation of final products and vital elements for special machines”. He has also, “having in mind the overall security situation in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina” recommended that “the aforementioned goods and final products are to be urgently dislocated to the Republic of Croatia. In accordance with that, we are ready to provide you with free warehousing space, which satisfies demanding requirements. After the normalization of the overall situation we are ready to resolve the issue of the dislocated equipment, whether to return it, or keep it, to our mutual satisfaction” (AIIZ, inv. No. 2-2144 / The Republic of Croatia, Ministry of defence Zagreb, Administration for Production, Zagreb, May 06, 1992 — BNT — Factory for machinery and hydraulics, attn. Mr. Marko Pranjkovic, Novi Travnik).
78. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1903, The Croatian Community Herzeg Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Minutes of the meeting between the representatives of the H-B Post office, which was held in Grude on October 09, and 10, 1992. That meeting “at which the current issues connected to PT communications in the Herzeg-Bosnia region were discussed” was also attended by Anto Beljo, Deputy Minister of Information of the Republic of Croatia Mladen Zulj, Manager of the Herzeg-Bosnia Post PT, informed the present participants (Zeljko Vrankovic, Manager of RTV Herzeg-Bosnia, Ante Raguz, PT Kiseljak, Rudo Vidovic, PT Vitez, Jerko Medvidovic, PT G Vakuf, Pero Turalija PT Bugojno, and Ivica Smoljo, UNIS- telecommunications) that “one part of HB is already in function, while there are some technical reasons why the other part is not (previous links transited through Banja Luka, Sarajevo and Zenica). In addition, he informed the present participants that three links with Kiseljak would also be realized. The collection of equipment for the bigger system Plein Vrh-Cvrsnice is in process”. At the meeting, the following conclusions were made: “a) UNIS — telecommunications Mostar is obligated to design the project for the uncovered part of H-B; b) Pero Turalija, Ante Raguz, Rudo Vidovic and Jerko Medvidovic will review the existing condition of the equipment in the uncovered part of H-B.; c) Mr. Vrankovic will collect the prices of the equipment for systems in Zagreb (mini link 2 MB, 8 MB, 34 MB, 140 MB); d) Mr. M. Zulj will coordinate all the aforementioned activities, and possibly find the passive spot-light 36m2 for Bugojno”. The next meeting was scheduled for October 17, where “all the aforementioned participants will be present” (Ibid.)
79. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1904, The Croatian Defence Council, Communication Center of HVO Vitez, August 08, 1992. Experts from the Republic of Croatia were in the area of Central Bosnia, making inquiries about the TV transmitters.
80. AIIZ, inv. No.2-1910, The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, HZ Herzeg- Bosnia, Chamber of Commerce Mostar, No.: 01-34/93, Mostar, March 16, 1993 / to the department of Commerce Bugojno. Stating that textile (cotton, wool) make “the major export lot in Croatia (of the total Croatian export, textile makes 12,4%), the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Jago Lasic, has, in his letter sent to companies in the Croatian Community Herzeg Bosnia, on March 16, 1993, and with regard to the organization of the meeting involving textile and leather industry in the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, considered “that the capacities of the HZ H-B have the most realistic chance in reaching the international market also through the production of textile producers from Croatia”. In that respect, he mentioned that textile made 31,5% of the total export of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and suggested for a meeting with participation of textile and leather producers from HZ H-B to be organized in company Frotea Citluk on March 23, 1993. Subsequently, he invited all companies from HZ H- B, including the department of Commerce from Bugojno to take part in that meeting. After the meeting, “another meeting would be organized on the level of chambers of commerce, of the groups of textile and leather producers of HZ H-B and Croatia, which would facilitate further bilateral deals between the directly interested partners” (Ibid.)
81. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1911, the Croatian Community Herzeg Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, No.: 02-127-1388/92, Bugojno, October 16, 1992 — to the Republic of Croatia through the Ministry of Interior of the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia Mostar, REQUEST. On the very same day, the Croatian Defence Council Bugojno, on the basis of that decision, sent a Request to the republic of Croatia to forbid “ the enrolment to all male students who are older than 18 years who have the complete documentation about the approval for studying, issued by HVO Bugojno”, and forbid “further studies to previously registered enrolled male students who do not have complete documentation about the approval for continuation of studies, issued by HVO Bugojno”. That request referred to “men of the Croatian nationality who are residents of the Municipality Bugojno”.
82. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1899, Croatian Democratic Community, Municipal Board Bugojno, Bugojno, March 03, 1992 — to the Regional Crisis Headquarters Grude. The Municipal Board of HDZ Bugojno put those funds at the disposal of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia to compensate for the expenditures “regarding the agreed delivery of the equipment needed for the defence of Bugojno”.
83. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1906, the Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Finance, Zagreb, June 03 1992, CERTIFICATE.
The aforementioned funds were taken over by the priest Stipe Dzalto (born in 1931) from Bugojno, in the Ministry of Finance (the funds were handed over personally by the Minister of Finance, Jozo Martinovic, MA). The reverend Dzalto handed the funds over to Mirko Lozancic, on June 05, 1992.
84. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2975, the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, Ministry of defence, Main Headquarters of HVO, Department of Education and School System, reference number 02-2/1-15-3579/93, Posusje, December 15, 1993 —MO/Ministry of Defence/RH/ of the Republic of Croatia/GS HV/ Main Headquarters of the Croatian Army [note by the author] Ibid., inv. No.: 2-2965, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia. To the Ministry of Defence, Main Headquarters of HVO, Department of Education and School System, Class: 8/94-02, reference No.: 02-10-06/94-194, Mostar, January 20, 1994 / to all ZP and sub-headquarter formations.
85. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1695, the Republic of Croatia, Office of the Commander of the South Front, Office of the Commander of the OZ Split, IZM Ploce, Class: 8/92-
01/64, reference No.: 6030-01/92-1, Ploce, May 04, 1992 — The Headquarters of HVO Herzeg-Bosnia, Command. Priority was given to individuals “who might have been trained by the former JNA to operate the same equipment”. If there were no such individuals, “the priority should be given to those who operated “Maljutka” rockets and individuals who possess certain technical skills for the purpose of rapid training.”
86. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1717, the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Office of the Commander of the OS Central Bosnia, No.: 174/92, July 24, 1992. The list of trainees was supposed to be sent by radio-package link or by courier before July 27, 1992 (by 14.00 hours). Staff selected for training was obliged to report to Grude on July 30, 1992 (by 14.00 hours). Trainees were to be sent to Grude “to the specified place and time, fully equipped with uniform and personal arms. At the end of the document someone wrote a list of 7 names, who were obliged to report to GS HVO by July 30, 1992 at 7.00 hours, as follows: Drazen (son of Mladen) Pekic, born on December 16, 1971, textile technician; Dario (son of Jozo) Pekic, born on July 28, 1971; Goran (son of Slavko) Niksic, born on 1972; Ilija (son of Jozo) Azinovic, born on 1964; Renato (son of Pero) Maric, born on 1973, Klis; Marko (son of Jozo) Majic, born on 1970, Klis; and Ante (son of Pero) Tulo, born on 1962, Klis.
87. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1858, the Croatian Community Herzeg Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, The Headquarters Tomislavgrad, Intelligence Service /Operational Zone/n/w/Northwest Herzegovina, September 05, 1992 / HVO Bugojno and Gornji Vakuf, attn. the Head of the Intelligence Service. In that strictly confidential document, the time and place of the seminar for intelligence officers has been set (10-16 September, 1992, in Split), time and place for reporting (Operational Zone Split, Suhoisanska number 6), details regarding departure (“One must arrive in camouflage uniform, with HVO emblems, and bring writing and drawing tools, personal hygiene kit, and the working map 1:100.000 of the respective zone of responsibility”) Accommodation and food were the responsibility of the Main Headquarters of HVO in cooperation with the Operational Zone Split, and for any “unclear issues” one should address “the Head of VOS GS HVO, by phone, number (088) 662-700, or package radio“.
88. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2964, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Main Headquarters, reference No.: 01-2171/92, Mostar, September 21 — to the Operational Zone of Southeast Herzegovina and others; Ibid., inv. No.: 2-1859, The Office of the Commander of the 3 Operational Zone, No.: 263-1/92, September 1992 — to the Office of the Commander of OS HVO Fojnica.
89. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2964, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Main Headquarters, reference No.: 01-2171/92, Mostar, September 21, 1992 — to the Operational Zone Southeast Herzegovina and others. By that order, general Petkovic listed the units from which soldiers were to be sent, stating the number of soldiers by Operational Zones, specified the beginning and the duration of the course, location and time of departure, transportation of trainees, etc.
90. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1859, The Office of the Commander of the 3rd Operational Zone, No.: 263-1/92, September 26, 1992 — to the Office of the Commander of OS HVO Fojnica.
91. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1960, Municipal Headquarters Fojnica, No.: 128/92, Fojnica, September 30, 1992 — to the Treasury Office of HVO Fojnica.
92. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-1848, the Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Department of Defence, Main Headquarters, No.: 02-2/1-01-1208/93, Mostar, June 25, 1993 — the 2 Herzegovina Brigade, and others. With that order, General Milivoje Petkovic, set the duration of the course (June 28, to July 03, 1993), and names of soldiers, and their respective units: 1. Davor Jukic — the 2nd Herzegovina brigade.; 2. Renato Raic - 3rd Herzegovina Brigade;
3. Predrag Viskovic - E. Kvaternik Brigade; 4. Blaz Ivanda - King Tomislav Brigade; 5. Dinko Ivkovic - P. Kresimir IV Brigade; The Croatian Military Academy had provided course participants with accomodation and food, while their mother unit provided “the costs of transportation”. Miro Colic, commander of the artillery, was also supposed to attend the course, “as co-organizer of course and responsible for the transfer of the participants”.
93. AIIZ, inv. No. 2-2294, Involvement of the Croatian Army in the BiH battlefield and other forms of support from the Republic of Croatia.
94. Bilten FHP, No. 15, p. 79. For instance, members of the Croatian Army trained HVO around Kupres, Mostar, in central Bosnia, Orasje and other places (Ibid., No. 15, p. 59.)
95. AIIZ, inv. No. 2-2970, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, HVO Headquarters, Commander’s Office, Posusje, Reg. No. 02-2/1-01/4010/93, November 19, 1993 — to Ante Bruno Busic Regiment.)
96. AIIZ, inv. No. 2-2973, Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, Ministry of Defence, HVO Headquarters, Reg. No.: 01-2/1-01-3614/93, Posusje, December 18, 1993 — Croatian Military Academy Petar Zrinski — Zagreb, Attn. Brigadier Miroslav Jezercic. HVO officers were sent for training then.
97. F. Primorac, DOGRADJIVATI POSTIGNUTI STUPANJ OSPOSO- BLJENOSTI, in : TRI GODINE …, p. 4; Z. Siljeg, MJESTO I ULOGA VOJNE POLICIJE OS HR HB, in : TRI GODINE …, p. 20.
474 AIIZ, inv. No. 2-3002, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, Headquarters of HVO of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, Reg. No.: 02-2/1-01-2571/93, August 20, 1993 — MZE Divulje, Ibid., inv. No. 2-2976, Union of the Republics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia, Headquarters of the Armed Force of Croatian Republic of Herzeg- Bosnia, Reg. No.: 02-2/1-01-3149/93, IZM Citluk, October 24, 1993 — MZE Grude, Attn. Commander General Slobodan Praljak (Chief of Staff of the Main Headquarters of HVO), on August 20, 1993, “on the basis of an Instruction from the Minister of Defence of RH, Class: 560-02/93-1/09, reference No.: 512-01-93, Strictly confidential 2715 Zagreb August 10, 1993" sent the following request to the Mixed squadron in Divulje: "To conduct additional training of six pilots on the helicopter MI-8 MTV-1 and four flight technicians for MI-8 MTV-1. The training should start on September 29, 1993. Accommodation and food to be regulated in the facilities of MZE Divulje" On October 24, 1993, General Praljak re-issued an order regarding the training of pilots and flight technicians. In the meantime, form October 27, to December 10, 1993, 6 pilots and 4 flight mechanics were to be sent to ZB Pula "for the purpose of introduction into the unit and training on helicopter Mi-8MTV-1 and MIJ 550" (AIIZ, inv. No.:2-2967).
98. AIIZ, inv. No.: 2-2956, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Defence Council, the Office of the Commander of OZ Central Bosnia, IZM Vitez, No.: 01-8-176/93, August 10, 1993 - to the Welfare department for the wounded, Split.